CNU beats Greensboro, moves one win away from USA South title

NEWPORT NEWS -- Christopher Newport's defense made plays at critical times, twice stopping Greensboro in the fourth quarter on the way to a 22-16 win Saturday at Pomoco Stadium.

The Captains (6-3, 5-1 USA South) remain tied for first in the conference with Ferrum and are one win away from at least a tie for the league title and the automatic NCAA Division III playoff berth.

Heading into next Saturday's season finale versus Methodist, CNU holds the tiebreaker over Ferrum if the two tie for the title, having beaten the Panthers earlier this season.

Tyshawn Harris' second interception of the game at the Captains' 42, with 1:50 remaining, allowed CNU to run out the clock. Linebacker Evan Moog stopped Greensboro quarterback Ryan Throndset on fourth-and-2 at the CNU 43 on the Pride's previous possession.

CNU's victory may have been costly. Quarterback Marcus Morrast, who scored two touchdowns and passed for another, was injured early in the fourth quarter. He was on crutches afterward, putting no weight on his left leg.

Lyndon Garner finished the game at quarterback for the Captains. CNU coach Matt Kelchner said afterward that Morrast hit knee-on-knee with a Greensboro defender and that Morrast didn't think the injury was serious. He was to be evaluated late Saturday and early Sunday.

Freshman Paul Dukes led the Captains with 144 yards rushing. Morrast completed 10 of 15 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown, and scored on a pair of 1-yard plunges.

Greensboro (4-5, 2-4 USA South) had a nearly seven-minute advantage in time of possession and converted 9 of 17 opportunities on third down. But CNU stopped the Pride five times inside Captains' territory -- twice on interceptions, twice on downs and once by prompting a punt.